A small cave-dwelling fish found only in Perry County could be added to the federal Endangered Species List, and many residents of the county are upset about it.

More than 120 people packed into a meeting Tuesday in Perryville to hear from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Missouri Department of Conservation concerning the 2.5-inch Grotto sculpin.

Under a settlement agreement in a lawsuit filed by WildEarth Guardians, the Fish and Wildlife Service is required to expedite the evaluation of 400 species for the endangered list, including the Grotto sculpin.

Many residents worry adding the fish to the list will be costly for landowners, farmers and industry. Some say having the endangered species on private land could lower property values.